This article is the second in a series of articles intended to inform the residents of the Clearwater Valley about the Bear Smart working group and invite anyone interested to join in the community wide efforts to reduce bear-human conflicts in the area. The first article summarized the mission of the group and shared the work and activities to date. This article will focus on the concept of a Bear Smart community and the history of the Bear Smart movement.
Based on historical data and the events of last summer it is evident that there are bear issues in the Clearwater Valley. This led to the formalization of the Bear Smart working group in the Clearwater Valley. So what is “Bear Smart” and what benefit might that have in our area?
Dr. Chuck Jonkel (father of our own Jamie Jonkel) devoted his life to bear biology, conservation, and education throughout the world. From that work and vision the Great Bear Foundation was created in 1981. http://greatbear.org/ The Foundation’s stance is that, “Everywhere wild bears exist, they have been forced to adapt to habitat changes caused by human population growth. In some cases, the bears have become so endangered that they are on the verge of extinction. It is possible for bears and humans to successfully coexist, but now it is the responsibility of humans to adapt and learn about ways to live with bears.” Modeled after that statement, more bear wise groups began to arise to help people and bears coexist.
The original Get Bear Smart Society started in 1996 in British Columbia. The GBS was a Canadian charity whose goal was to ensure people and bears safely and respectfully coexisted wherever their homes and home ranges overlapped. On their website the GBS states that they accomplish their mission by: Educating people about how to prevent human-bear conflicts in and around their homes, neighborhoods and communities, helping policymakers find cost-effective solutions to the challenges of creating Bear Smart communities, including the implementation of effective conflict management policies and regulations and bear-proof waste management systems, and promoting innovative and practical non-lethal bear management practices. The resort town of Whistler became the first Bear Smart community and continues to be a role model for other communities. In 2023 the Get Bear Smart Society became known as Bear Smart. https://www.bearsmart.com/
Following the GBS model a Bear Smart community is one that recognizes there is a problem with human-bear conflicts, that gathers data and maps to build a hazard assessment document to better understand the issues in the area, then consults knowledgeable people and organizations, invites community participation, and then implements strategies to reduce those conflicts. To date, Alberton, Missoula, the Bitterroot Valley, the Flathead Valley, Virginia City, Red Lodge, and now Seeley Lake are or are working to become Bear Smart communities.
At this time the working group is seeking input from local residents to help guide their work. Are you aware of issues in our valley? Have you seen concerns that the group should address? Do you need assistance with a bear problem? Do you have suggestions for the group? If so, please reach out via Facebook on the Clearwater Wildlife page, email teaguemt@gmail.com, or leave a note addressed to the CV Bear Smart working group at the Seeley Lake Community Foundation building.
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